A court in Salem has sentenced two individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of a farmer and his wife over a property dispute. Two other accused passed away during the trial.

Key Takeaways

  • A farmer and his wife were murdered in March 2025 due to a property dispute.
  • The District Mahila Court sentenced Rajadurai and Ganesan to life imprisonment.
  • Two other suspects died during the course of the legal proceedings.

In a significant legal development, the District Mahila Court in Salem has handed down life sentences to two men involved in the brutal murder of a couple. The crime, rooted in a long-standing property dispute, had shocked the local community when it occurred in early 2025.

The Incident

According to police records, the tragedy unfolded on March 23, 2025. Sakthivel (35), a farmer residing in Sonapadi near Yercaud, was traveling on a two-wheeler with his wife, Vasuki. They were intercepted and attacked by a gang, resulting in their untimely deaths. The Yercaud police subsequently registered a case and apprehended four relatives: C. Kanagaraj, C. Rajadurai, T. Ganesan, and T. Chandran.

Legal Proceedings and Verdict

During the intensive investigation, it was revealed that the motive behind the ambush was a dispute over ancestral property. As the trial progressed, two of the accused, Kanagaraj and Chandran, passed away. On Tuesday, the court found the remaining two defendants, C. Rajadurai (31) and T. Ganesan (33), guilty of the charges. They have been sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of ₹1,100.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that property-related violence remains a critical social issue in rural districts. Swift judicial conclusions in such high-profile murder cases are essential to maintaining public trust in the legal system and deterring future land-grab violence.

The conviction of these individuals serves as a stern warning that property greed cannot override the sanctity of human life.
Did You Know?: Property disputes are among the most common drivers of intra-family violence in many parts of India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the motive behind the murder?
The investigation revealed that the murder was committed due to a property dispute.

2. What happened to the other two accused?
The other two accused, Kanagaraj and Chandran, died during the trial period.